Samsung Dishwasher is Not Draining? Try This Simple Fix Now

You just finished dinner, loaded the Samsung dishwasher, and expected everything to be clean and dry. But when you open it, you see water sitting at the bottom. You might feel worried or even annoyed. Why is your Samsung dishwasher not draining? The real reason is often something simple like a clogged filter or a stuck drain pump. In this article, you will learn the full fix for this problem. You do not need to call a repair person just yet. You can try easy steps at home first.

Check and Clean the Filter

The filter inside your Samsung dishwasher catches food pieces and dirt during washing. If you do not clean the filter often, it can get blocked. When this happens, water cannot drain out of the dishwasher. A blocked filter is one of the most common reasons your dishwasher is not draining.

Start by opening your dishwasher and pulling out the bottom rack. You will see the filter at the bottom center of the dishwasher. It may look like a round or square mesh cover. Carefully twist and pull it out. If it feels stuck, do not force it too hard. Try turning it the other way.

Once you take it out, look at the filter. If it has food, grease, or dirt on it, you need to clean it. Take it to the sink and rinse it with warm water. Use a soft brush or old toothbrush to scrub away any stuck food. Do not use a metal brush because it can damage the filter.

After cleaning the filter, also look inside the hole where the filter sits. Sometimes food gets stuck in there too. Use your fingers or a soft cloth to remove anything you see. Do not use anything sharp.

Now put the filter back in place. Twist it gently until it fits in properly. Make sure it is secure so it does not move during the next wash.

Cleaning the filter should be done every week if you use your dishwasher daily. If your dishwasher does not drain after cleaning the filter, then move to the next fix.

Pull out the bottom rack to reach the filter
Twist and remove the filter carefully
Clean it using warm water and a soft brush
Check the filter hole for more food or dirt
Put the filter back and twist it to lock

Clear the Drain Hose

The drain hose takes dirty water out of your Samsung dishwasher and sends it to your sink drain or garbage disposal. If this hose is blocked or bent, water cannot go through. That means your dishwasher fills up with water and does not drain.

To fix this, you need to check the drain hose from the back of the dishwasher. First, unplug your dishwasher from the wall. If it is hard-wired, turn off the power from your circuit breaker. You must be safe before moving your appliance.

Pull your dishwasher out slightly from its space so you can reach the back. Look for a long hose, usually white or gray, connected to the back and running to the sink area.

Carefully check if the hose has any bends or kinks. A bent hose can block water. Straighten it if needed. If you feel something inside the hose that could be blocking it, you need to take it off.

Place a towel under the hose to catch water. Then loosen the clamp and remove the hose from the dishwasher or sink side. Blow air through the hose or run water to check if it flows well. If water does not go through, there may be a clog.

Use a long brush, wire hanger, or drain snake to clean the hose. Push gently to remove any food or grease. After cleaning, rinse it with warm water. Reconnect the hose tightly using the clamp.

Once done, push the dishwasher back and plug it in. Run a short cycle to see if the water drains now.

Unplug or turn off the power to your dishwasher
Look behind the dishwasher to find the hose
Check if the hose is bent or blocked
Remove it and blow or rinse through it
Clean inside using a brush or wire
Reconnect and test the dishwasher again

Inspect the Garbage Disposal Connection

If your Samsung dishwasher drains into your garbage disposal, the problem could be right there. Many people do not know that a blocked or poorly installed garbage disposal can stop the dishwasher from draining.

First, check if you have a new garbage disposal. When a new disposal is installed, it often has a small plug inside the dishwasher drain hole. This plug must be removed. If not, it blocks water from your dishwasher.

To check this, turn off the power to your garbage disposal. Then, look for the small hose connected from your dishwasher to the side of the garbage disposal. Remove that hose. Use a flashlight to look inside the garbage disposal hole. If you see a plastic plug, that means it was never removed.

You can remove the plug by gently pushing it out using a screwdriver. Be careful not to damage anything. Once removed, reconnect the drain hose and tighten it.

Now, check if your disposal is blocked. Put water down the disposal side of the sink and turn it on. If it drains slowly or makes loud noises, you may have food stuck inside.

Run water and turn on the garbage disposal for a full minute to clean it out. Avoid putting big food items in the future, especially bones, rice, pasta, or grease.

Once everything is cleaned and the plug is removed, test your dishwasher again.

Make sure the drain plug is removed from garbage disposal
Check if disposal is working and draining properly
Clean out any stuck food inside the disposal
Reconnect the dishwasher hose tightly
Test the dishwasher to see if it drains now

Test the Drain Pump

The drain pump is a small motor inside the dishwasher that pushes water out. If it is not working, your dishwasher cannot drain no matter how clean the hose or filter is.

To test the drain pump, you first need to access the bottom of your dishwasher. Start by unplugging the machine or turning off power at the breaker. Then tilt the dishwasher slightly backward to see underneath.

The drain pump looks like a small round part connected to a hose. Sometimes, you may hear a low humming noise if the pump tries to run but is stuck.

You can remove the drain pump by unscrewing it or turning it to unlock. Check inside the pump. Small items like glass pieces, seeds, or plastic can get stuck inside and block the blades from spinning.

Carefully remove anything you see. Use gloves to protect your hands. Spin the blade with your finger. If it does not move or feels tight, the pump might be broken.

You can test the pump by reconnecting it and running a drain cycle. If you still hear a humming noise and no draining, the pump may need to be replaced.

Buying a new drain pump for your Samsung dishwasher is not too expensive, and you can replace it yourself if you follow videos or guides online.

Turn off power and tilt the dishwasher to see the bottom
Find the drain pump and remove it
Check inside for stuck objects
Spin the blade to make sure it moves freely
Test the pump or replace it if needed

Look for Blocked Air Gap or High Loop

Some Samsung dishwashers have an air gap or high loop system in the drain line. These are safety features to stop dirty water from going back into the dishwasher. But if the air gap is blocked, it can stop water from draining.

Look next to your sink faucet. If you see a small silver cap, that is likely the air gap. Take the cap off and look inside. If you see food or gunk inside, clean it out with warm water and a brush.

If you do not have an air gap, your drain hose might use a high loop. That means the hose goes up high under the sink before going down to the drain. This stops backflow. If the hose falls down or is not placed high enough, it can cause draining problems.

Check under your sink and make sure the hose goes up high and is tied securely. If it is low or loose, lift it and secure it with a clip or zip tie.

Sometimes just fixing the hose position or cleaning the air gap can solve the whole problem.

Check for an air gap next to your sink
Remove the cap and clean out any gunk
If no air gap, check for a high loop in the hose
Make sure the hose is high and tight under the sink

Reset the Dishwasher and Run a Diagnostic

After cleaning everything, you can try to reset your Samsung dishwasher. Sometimes, a small error in the control system can cause the machine to stop draining.

To reset, turn off the power to the dishwasher from the wall or breaker box. Wait for about 5 minutes. Then turn the power back on. This will reset the control board.

You can also try running a diagnostic test. On many Samsung models, you press and hold the ‘Start’ and ‘Delay Start’ buttons together for 3 seconds. The dishwasher will enter a test mode and check all parts, including the drain pump.

Watch and listen as the machine runs. If you hear the pump trying to work but water still does not drain, it means something inside is still blocked or broken.

If after all these steps the dishwasher still does not drain, then you may need to call a repair person.

Turn off the dishwasher for 5 minutes to reset it
Try running a diagnostic test using buttons
Listen to see if the drain pump runs
Use this step after checking filter, hose, pump, and disposal

Final Thoughts

Fixing a Samsung dishwasher that is not draining can feel like a big job. But most of the time, the real cause is a simple blockage in the filter, hose, or disposal. If you follow these steps with care, you can solve the problem at home without needing a repair person. Always keep your dishwasher clean, and do small checks each month to avoid future issues. With a little patience and effort, you can get your dishwasher back to normal and enjoy clean dishes again.

Problem Area	What to Check	What to Do	Tools Needed
Filter	Food, grease buildup	Clean with warm water and brush	Brush, gloves
Drain Hose	Bends, clogs inside	Remove and clean or straighten	Towel, clamp tool
Garbage Disposal	Blocked or plug not removed	Clean, remove plug, test drain	Screwdriver
Drain Pump	Blocked blade or broken motor	Remove items or replace pump	Gloves, screwdriver
Air Gap / High Loop	Food stuck or hose placed too low	Clean or fix hose position	Brush, zip ties
Reset / Diagnostic	Control board error	Turn off and run self-test	None

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is it normal for some water to stay at the bottom?

Yes, it is normal for a very small amount of water to stay at the bottom of your dishwasher after a cycle. This water keeps the pump seal from drying out. But if you see a big puddle or water covering the filter area, that is not normal. It means something is stopping the drain process. You should check the filter, drain hose, and garbage disposal. If all of those are clean and working, it may be the pump or a software error.

Is it okay to run the dishwasher if it’s not draining?

No, you should not run the dishwasher again if it is not draining. Running it again can cause more water to build up and may damage parts of the machine. The water can also leak out and cause floor damage. It is better to stop and find the problem. Try checking the filter and hose first before starting another wash cycle.

Can a blocked filter cause draining problems?

Yes, a blocked filter is one of the most common reasons a Samsung dishwasher will not drain. The filter is there to catch food pieces during washing. When it gets too full, water cannot pass through, and the machine stops draining. Cleaning the filter every week can prevent this problem. It only takes a few minutes and can save you from bigger issues later.

Can I fix the drain hose myself?

Yes, most people can fix the drain hose without help. You need to unplug the dishwasher and check the hose behind it. If the hose is bent or clogged, you can remove it and clean it with water and a brush. Just be careful when removing it, and always place a towel underneath to catch water. If the hose is damaged, you can buy a new one from a store or online.

Do I need a new drain pump?

Not always. If your dishwasher is not draining, it could be a blocked filter or hose. But if you hear a humming noise from the pump and nothing happens, the pump may be broken. You can remove it and check if anything is stuck. If the blades do not spin or the motor does not run during a test, you may need a new one. Replacing it is possible at home if you follow a guide.

Do I call a repair service if cleaning does not work?

Yes, if you have tried cleaning the filter, drain hose, pump, and checking the garbage disposal and the dishwasher still does not drain, it is time to call a repair service. The problem could be with the control board or wiring inside the machine, which is hard to fix without tools or training. A repair expert can check everything safely and quickly.

Is it safe to clean the garbage disposal myself?

Yes, it is safe to clean your garbage disposal as long as the power is turned off. Never put your hand inside while it is plugged in. Use a brush or tongs to remove food inside. You can also run cold water and turn it on to flush it out. If your dishwasher connects to the disposal, make sure the drain plug is removed.

Do I reset the dishwasher after fixing?

Yes, it is a good idea to reset your dishwasher after cleaning and fixing things. Turning the power off for 5 minutes can help the system start fresh. Some Samsung models also have a self-diagnosis mode to check parts. Resetting helps remove error codes and lets the machine test itself again during the next wash cycle.